NORTH BAY, Ont. — A young child who died at the North Bay Regional Health Centre Friday had exhibited “a flu-like respiratory illness” and had screened positive for Influenza A, according to facility officials.

At a hastily called news conference Friday night, chief of staff Dr. Donald Fung said a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine if the flu was responsible for the child’s death.

Privacy concerns prevented the hospital from identifying the child other than that he or she was under five years of age and was from North Bay.

Fung said the hospital is “partnering with the Ministry of Health ... to address the implications this case may have for the safety of our patients and the community.”

He said a “complete clinical review is taking place” at the hospital.

They noted that the link has not been established, and will only be determined with certainty following an autopsy.